Audi finally wants to present a credible competitor to the BMW M3 and has made significant improvements with the new RS5 generation. In addition to a significantly more muscular appearance, electrification increases the total output to almost 640 hp.
The current BMW M3 and M4 have put the competition in trouble. Mercedes misjudged the market with its hybrid four-cylinder C-Class AMG and is now paying a high price. Audi could only shine a class higher with the impressive RS6 and RS7, as the predecessors RS4 and RS5 were simply too reserved to pose a serious threat to Munich’s top class. Painful for Audi Sport, especially given its long-standing dominance in the performance station wagon segment.
That will change. The new Audi RS5, available as a sedan and Avant, presents itself much more confidently with strongly flared wheel arches and a striking rear apron including oval exhaust outlets. In order not to fall behind its competitors with up to 550 hp from BMW and 680 hp from the Mercedes-AMG C 63, Audi not only retained its 2.9-liter V6 biturbo engine, but also installed a 130 kW (177 hp) electric motor that is integrated into the transmission housing. The result is a combined system output of 470 kW (639 hp) and a whopping 825 Nm of torque, which is delivered to all four wheels.
There is one notable change. Unlike its competitors, the RS5 is now offered exclusively as a sedan or Avant. The coupé, which was once important for brand image and differentiation, was discontinued and there has been no RS convertible for several years. “With its innovative drive concept, the RS 5 marks the beginning of a new era for RS models,” says Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport. “We combine the dynamic characteristics that our customers value with new technologies to achieve higher levels of performance while improving everyday usability through electric range.” Inside, the duo features RS-specific sports seats, distinctive features and the expected mix of performance and premium design.
The performance figures are correspondingly dramatic. The sprint from zero to 100 km/h takes comfortably under four seconds, and despite a curb weight of over 2.3 tonnes, the top speed reaches 285 km/h. The electronically controlled sports suspension has a wider track, 20 or 21-inch wheels and a newly developed rear axle differential with electromechanical torque vectoring, which enables highly variable power distribution on the rear axle. Buyers can choose between steel or ceramic brakes to contain the considerable mass. Thanks to the two-valve adaptive damping, both pitching and rolling movements are reduced when driving in a sporty manner and still offer a wide spectrum between comfort and sportiness.
With the 26 kWh battery mounted in the rear, the RS5 can drive up to 80 kilometers purely electrically. Charging from an 11 kW source takes about two and a half hours. Orders are available now, with deliveries of the RS5 sedan starting at 106,200 euros and the RS5 Avant at 107,200 euros starting this summer.
